A cheaper Mars mission is in many ways a riskier Mars mission, but so far India's done better than China and Russia's failed 2011 attempt, which suffered a number of problems after launch and never made it beyond low Earth orbit. There has, however, been some compelling criticism that India shouldn't be spending money on Mars when so many of its citizens live in poverty.

But remember, you have to put money in to get money out — Gravity turned a huge profit at the box office. Investing in things like space missions has in the past spurred innovation and created jobs.

India's Mars mission could very well crash and burn, but even if it makes it the return is unclear.